Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is criticizing Republican lawmakers’ as amid discussions about the next coronavirus relief package.
Schumer expressed concern on Tuesday about the staggering number of Americans facing financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The top-ranking Democratic lawmaker also described the Republicans’ focus on slashing unemployment benefits as “unacceptable.”
“Over 50 million Americans have filed for unemployment,” Schumer tweeted, adding, “But Republicans want to cut the benefits that have been a lifeline to millions amid COVID?! That’s unacceptable.”
As Forbes reports, there are roughly 51 million Americans who have filed for unemployment since the pandemic began.
Over 50 million Americans have filed for unemployment.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 4, 2020
But Republicans want to cut the benefits that have been a lifeline to millions amid COVID?!
That’s unacceptable.
The New York lawmaker went on to note that even after several months, there is still a failure to agree on initiatives needed to expand testing, contact tracing, and more assistance for health care systems across the United States.
“It’s unbelievable that seven months into this crisis, Democrats still have to argue with Republicans about delivering enough support for testing, tracing, and our health care system in the middle of a pandemic,” he tweeted.
It's unbelievable that seven months into this crisis, Democrats still have to argue with Republicans about delivering enough support for testing, tracing, and our health care system in the middle of a pandemic.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 4, 2020
We won’t stop fighting for action.
Schumer’s remarks follow the expiration of federally enhanced unemployment benefits. Roughly 30 million Americans, as of the weekend prior to the expiration, were set to lose the weekly payments of $600.
As a result of the clash between Democratic and Republican lawmakers, many unemployed Americans are left hanging in the balance until a decision is reached.
Due to alarming increases in coronavirus cases across the United States, many states have rolled back or paused reopening.
The unemployment rates decreased during the month of May, and, in June, a record number of jobs were added to the U.S. economy.
Both Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have expressed concerns about the U.S. economy and American workers but Democratic leaders have yet to reach a deal with Republicans lawmakers.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the United States has more than 4.8 million confirmed coronavirus cases and a death toll of over 159,000. There are over 2.4 million reported recoveries.